AAA Tipsy Tow: How to Get a Free Ride Home on New Year’s Eve

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is offering a free ride home to anyone on this New Year's Eve if they've consumed alcohol in order to ensure those who drink do not get behind the wheel.

Now if only they could provide this complimentary DD service every weekend!

The free service is offered in select states courtesy of AAA between 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 and 6 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012 for those who lapped up a few vinos, or champagne flutes, celebrating New Year's Eve 2012.

The best part? The complimentary ride is available for AAA members and non-AAA members.

Tipsy Tow was established by the company to combat statistics, which prove that more traffic fatalities occur during the holiday season.

Forget forcing a friend to be the designated driver. So, how can you get a free ride home on New Year's Eve without compromising the fun?

Call the AAA Tipsy Tow phone number at 1-800-222-4537 (1-800-AAA-Help). Shortly after, a tow truck will be sent to drive you, your friends and your car home without hesitation.

However, the service can only be used to tow a vehicle up to 10 miles from pickup point to destination, according to the company's Web site, and only in certain states. The roadside towing company currently offers Tipsy Tow in Northern California, Nevada and Utah, but to be sure, check with your local AAA division.

Last year, the service was used so much, leading to a ban in the Charlotte, N.C. area, said AAA of the Carolinas spokesman Tom Crosby.

Unfortunately, too many young people used it as a safety net to get from party to party to get as drunk as possible and still get home, Crosby told WBTV. The program had great intentions but we just got bad results.

AAA's Tipsy Tow is also available on Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco De Mayo, Memorial Day, The 4th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, according to the company.